With a potential US president who may scare off foreign tech investors and hinder its ability to innovate, Asia can step in as a viable alternative but first needs to put in place the necessary pieces.

Foxconn is attempting to lower its offer for debt-hit Japanese tech giant Sharp by between 10 to 20 percent, after negotiations hit a deadlock following the discovery of undisclosed liabilities, Japanese media has reported.

After seemingly putting an end to years of negotiations, Foxconn's takeover of Sharp has been put on hold after the Taiwanese firm discovered previously undisclosed liabilities, putting the deal into uncertainty.